Media Monday - Week 1

It's been awhile since Women Living Well has hosted a weekly challenge.  Courtney is very good at posting thoughtful discussions and I have enjoyed participating in the past.  The current challenge, which begins today, has to do with the Media around us. She wrote a really great post - so click the link and read her thoughts as well!

Before I can even begin to think about how media impacts my life, I needed to list the media items that I allow in: Computer - Facebook, blogging, general searching; Phone - just basically talking to my husband but my phone does have texting; TV/Music - the "oldies but goodies".  I don't own a iPad, iPod, or iPhone nor do I do anything with Twitter.  Courtney has challenged herself with tracking her time using the basic media items (facebook, twitter, writing blogs ect).  I don't feel the need to do that - most of the time I spend on the computer is done after my family goes to bed.  My husband's hours puts him to bed at about 7:30 - the same time as the kids so I have several hours before I head to bed.  Throughout the day, yes, my computer is on, but I don't spend tons of time on it - rather for a quick check more than anything.

So where do my challenges lie?  For quite awhile I've had the burden in my heart to make sure my kids don't grow up thinking that their mom is attached to the computer. 

It is easy to make the computer the central focus not just because of fun things, like facebook and You Tube, but because everything that encompasses our daily lives is stored on there.  From pictures to schedules, to plans for fun family ideas and more.  Who uses paper anymore?  In my stocking for Christmas, my husband got me a 3 subject notebook, pens, and high lighters.  No, he wasn't trying to give me a hint, but he knows that I've always loved those little supplies.  At first, I just stuck them in a drawer but as I started to realize that most of my free time was spent sitting at my desk in front of the little screen . .. I pulled that paper out and use it more.  When I need to brainstorm, or make a to do list, or even work on the beginnings of lesson plans - I use paper.  I can always type up the master list later.  I also created templates for things like menu planning, grocery lists, and other often used lists, printed them off, and fill them in with pen.  Basically, I cut the cord between myself and the computer.  Of course I still spend time on it each day - but I have tried to limit it more and also be willing to walk away.  I play more with my kids and we go outside on the really nice days.  

The other challenge to me was one that Courtney touched and that is the computer verses my quiet time.  Yes, I've slacked off this summer but that is sheer laziness on my part (called not wanting to get out of bed) but, when I was being disciplined this past year, getting up 30 minutes earlier to ensure I had time to get through my devotions, I pulled away from using the computer during that time.  This past year, as I was doing a study in James, I found that half way through my quiet time I was on the computer searching for an explanation of a verse; which made me think, "Oh, I should just do my devotions on the computer!" . .. .that idea quickly was replaced with a "no way"!  This is my time - I don't want to give it up to the screen.  So instead, I pulled out my husbands J. Vernon McGee commentaries and kept the one with James in it with my Bible Study books.  When I needed some help understanding a passage, I would just use that old-fashioned book instead.  I get so much more out of my quiet time as I sit in the semi-dark living room, without a computer screen glaring at me, or the TV on or even music for that matter.  It is so easy to find a way to use the computer for everything - when really we need to turn off everything so we can focus on what is truly important.

As far as Facebook - I know that many people struggle with it - they get into the middle of discussions, get stabbed in the back, get wrapped up in all of the hype and even feel the need to take breaks from it.  Personally, I enjoy facebook.  I find it fun to read status' of friends and family; I find it entertaining to look at their pictures or read the fun notes the put up.  I have not had a problem with anyone on facebook and periodically remove people from my friend list who I have had no contact with or who are posting things I would rather not see.  I don't accept every friend request that comes my way and I try not to get in the middle of any discussion that I know will blow up.  I don't plan on giving up Facebook - and, despite the fact that my brother thinks I'm always on it - I'm really not :-)  I do enjoy a page that links me with other Flylady followers and often use that page as an accountability to get things done throughout the day but otherwise, I'm not on there very much. 

Those are my simple thoughts today on this topic - anything to add?  Feel free to leave a comment. 

Deep Cleaning 101 - The Living Room and Dining Room

With the 4th of July holiday last Monday, I did not post my Deep Cleaning post as planned.  I didn't want to leave you all hanging (I know, you are so excited, aren't you?)  If you want to see the previous posts, just click here.

First up is the living room!!

 The "after" pictures:

 So, the big thing I try to do when I deep clean the living room is to organize, clean out, and move toys.  It helps when my kids are gone - I'm able to do this without "help" (hehehe)

And, the dining room before . . .

 And the after:

No, my dining room doesn't always look like the "before" . . .that is what it looks like after cleaning other rooms because my dining room table is my drop zone.  As I'm cleaning - I put stuff there, and put it all away at the end .  Honestly, I spent a full day cleaning the bedrooms, living room, and dining room while my kids were gone a few weekends ago.  I planned it that way knowing it would be easier to clean!

Here are my deep cleaning lists:
Living Room:  Because we "live" in the living room, it gets the most picking up on a daily basis so this deep cleaning (according to Flylady) takes place on the last days of the month - sometimes it is only one day, sometimes it is a full week.
1) Clean out/organize all toys
2) REALLY dust - move things, dust knick knacks, etc
3) Move furniture and vacuum
4) Wash insides of windows
5) Vacuum under couch cushions
6) Wipe down trim/baseboards
7) Clean off my desk

Dining Room:
1) Dust everything
2) Scrub chairs and table (all of those sticky fingers!)
3) Clean blinds/insides of windows
4) Wipe down ceiling fan
5) Wipe down baseboards
6) Move table - move rug - steam mop the entire floor; put rug back and vacuum the entire rug; move table back (I need my husband for this - the table is too hard to move by myself)


Now for reality:  This week, following my routines, I should have deep cleaned my kitchen again.  Well, it has been hot and humid here - all I'm doing is keeping up with simple routines.  And today, if you walked into my house, you'd find toys not neatly organized anymore . . .it is so hot in the evenings in the house that we are  not doing our normal clean-up but just putting the kids in bed and hiding in our room, where it is cold.  We only had one and a half bearable days last week - on Thursday I did the basics in the kitchen but that was it.  (On Friday -we went to the park!)  Even though I'm trying to keep up with the deep cleaning plan - until fall, when it is cooler, my cleaning is dictated by the weather!!! 

Happenings in this House!

Welcome to our week in pictures!!

I'll start out by taking you back to the 4th weekend.  We went to my parents house and one of the first things we did was try out the "new" Gator.  This little vehicle belonged to my nephews; they have outgrown it so the deal was - if my dad could get it running, we could have it.  Well - of course my dad could do it :-) hehehehe  At first, Josh just sat in it but, by the end of the (very hot) afternoon he was driving it like a pro.  Nate - well, he isn't a huge fan yet :-) 

The boys love to be read too - books are always a big deal in our house.  Not only do they love to be read to - but they will often sit and "read" books themselves.  This makes me happy!

Just two little boys messing around and having some fun !!

On Friday of this past week, I decided to "live dangerously" and take all three boys (my two and the cute little munchkin!) to the park.  First, we went to Dairy Queen and they were fantastic - making friends with every person that walked in the place.  We than went to the park and, I'll just say we survived HA!  Trying to chase the two boys above and keep them in my site while walking running behind a stroller (it is a good thing it's a jogger stroller!!) was more than I want to deal with again :-)  This particular park is just to spread out for the boys at this age - there is another park closer to home where I'll take them next time :-)  They played hard though, and we ALL went to bed early!! 

Finally, my parents came over on Saturday and brought some awesome outdoor things.  My mom, who never went to garage sales, has been finding some awesome things - she got both of these little houses for $15.00.  Seriously!!!  The boys get SOOOOOO excited when "Papa and Nana" come over. (And "wiwwow"  . .Willow is their dog!) So, Papa had lots of help spectators while he put the things together.  I really appreciate them doing stuff like this for us - it helps us out a lot!  Plus, since Darryl was working, my mom stayed with the kids so I could go grocery shopping . . .and my dad even took my truck and detailed the whole thing for me.  How cool is that?

So that is our week in pictures - it was HOT this past week and is starting out that way again!  We don't do much in the heat - except watch TV :-)

Creative Memories Spotlight: July Specials

Welcome to anyone visiting from Jenna's Journey.  I am a Creative Memories Consultant (Obviously) and, each week, I try to share a Creative Memories spotlight on items.  Sometimes I share my favorite items, specials, new products - whatever strikes my fancy I guess!  Yes, I will admit, I do this in order to hopefully drum up some orders! 

A little background for everyone.  I became a Consultant 2 years ago this month for one main reason - to feed my "habit" of scrapbooking.  At the time I was about 3 years behind and wanted to catch up.  Scrapbooking using the CM digital software seemed to be the best way.  I was given the software as a gift, joined up and filled the 3 month ordering requirement with just one or two extra orders.  When we made the decision that I would stay home with the kids, I really prayed that this business would pick up and help supplement our income . .. it hasn't done it yet but I'm still praying!  I run my business only on-line at this point as I don't have room to hold crops but many people like to just order - I just need to find them!!  I normally have a website of my own to share but it is not available right now due to,  well, not meeting my quota in the last quarter :-(  (On a side note - I plan on reactivating by the end of this quarter - I chose to deactivate for one quarter since I didn't need to order) You can still order but, what I need you to do before you want to place an order is to contact me - I can quickly reactivate my website and if you are the first  person who places the order, I will throw in a free gift!!!  The great thing is that you can place your order online (as soon as I re-activate of course) and it is shipped directly to you!!  Get a group of friends together and place a group order . .. or host a book show and earn credits for all of those orders too!  Just remember to let me know first!

So here are a few July Specials:
 
Maker Mania July 1-31 - Purchase any of Creative Memories’ makers and punches (except the new Border Maker and Border Maker Cartridges) and you’ll save 25 percent* off the regular price.  (These are great for all kinds of crafts - not just scrapbooking!)


Border Maker System Bundle
July 1 – Aug. 31 Purchase the Border Maker System Bundle (which includes the Picket Fence Cartridge) and purchase two additional cartridges and get the third cartridge for free.* ($15 value)         
(This is a new system - and seems like it would add a lot to page.  Again you could use this for card making also)

                  
Pen Case Bundle July 1 – Aug. 31 Our new Pen Case is great. But it’s even better when it’s filled with Creative Memories pens. That’s the beauty of our Pen Case Bundle. Purchase all nine Dual-Tip Pens and get the new Pen Case for $5.* That’s over a 15 percent savings!
(I've seen this and the case is very nice.  It is designed to hold the new Dual-Tip pens.  This would make a great way to store your favorite craft pens and keep them all together!)

Aren't those some great deals?  Plus you can always watch the clearance section for other great items!  Honestly - all of the items above I'd like to get - there are some new punches out that I'm saving for; the border system is awesome and I can't wait to pick it up and I had been eyeing the old version of the pen case but now, I want this one!  Plus I want that new pens - I just cleaned out my pen stash and had to throw away about 3/4 of them because they were old and dried out. 

There ya go - you can see these items at the Creative Memories Website.  Feel free to shop on the site, make your wish list . .. and than contact me.  I will take care of getting my Website reactivated that day so you can finish up your order :-) 

If you have friends or family that scrapbook or do other paper crafts - feel free to share this info.  :-)

Corn Dog Muffins

So, I like Corn Dogs but we don't get the very often.  I don't even remember the last time I bought a box of frozen Corn Dogs.  That's beside the fact!  Once a week, due to my husband's work schedule, he isn't home for dinner with us so I plan something easy and kid friendly.  I found this recipe form Corn Dog Muffins over at Eating My Way Back  and decided to try them out.  I'll be honest, I wasn't really sure how these would work but I will be making them again . . not for my kids though.  For me!!!  I kinda forgot about my 2 1/2 year old has an aversion to having his "tot hog" wrapped in anything . .. he likes them plain and sliced. 

I can honestly say that this recipe tasted like a corn dog, except better :-) 

Ingredients:
1 box of corn muffin mix (I used Jiffy Mix)
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon of Brown Sugar
4 hot dogs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:
Mix the muffin mix, egg, milk, and sugar.  The mix will be lumpy.  Cut hot dogs (I sliced them into skinny rounds but you could also dice them) and place in batter and add the cheese.  Mix everything together. 

Grease a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.  Evenly scoop the corn muffin mix between the 12 cups.  Cook in a 400 degree oven for 12-16 minutes.

Don't those just look yummy?  In case you are wondering - my dipping sauces are Ketchup for my fries and ketchup and mustard mixed for my muffins!  I've always done that for dipping my corn dogs - mix the two together and it is perfect :-)

I'm linking up over at

(and guess what, my recipe from last week is one of her "features" this week - how fun!)

3rd Quarter Book Goal

These are the books from my 2nd quarter reading goal.  I did pretty well, if I say so myself.  There are a few that I didn't get to so those I'll carry over to this quarter. 

The books I'm carrying over are:

It Starts At Home

Shepherding a Child's Heart

Totally Desperate Mom

Reshaping it all and The Power of a Positive Mom are the books I'm using in my devotions so those are a work in progress.

With three books carrying over, that leaves me 9 more to add to my list.  I don't have a big picture of the books because I 've decided to order the books from the library.  If it is a book I really love, I'll purchase it to have on my shelf.

1. Ministry of Motherhood - I started this book but had to return it to the library.  I loved what I read and plan on purchasing this one.

2. Before Five in a Row/Five in Row - these are both curriculum books that I have reserved from the library already.  I've heard a lot about this concept and just want to read the books to get the over view.

3. RE-Church: Healing Your Way back to the People of God - just really interested in this book.

4. Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

5. The Happiness Project - this book comes highly recommended by several friends - I've been told I MUST Buy this book

6. If God Is Good by K. Bruner

7. Have a New You by Friday

8. Just Give me Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz

9. Financial Peace Jr by Dave Ramsey. 

This goal stretches from July 1- September 30, 2011. 

I'll post my progress as well as my very simple reviews every Wednesday :-)  (I know, you just can't wait, can you? ha!)

Tot Time - The Week I worked on plans for week 1

Before I share with you what I did this past week towards my goal of working more with my kids this fall, I wanted to share a few links with you that I've found this week OR that I follow but that posted specific ideas this week. 

First up is another one of my favorite blogs, Musings Of Me. On her site you will find lots of "tot packs" that she has created.  Just recently posted a Vacation pack that you can download for free.

Over at A Little Tipsy, she is hosting a "Make a Memory" summer series.  Each Monday, someone different shares how they do something specific to make a memory in the summer.  This week is pretty creative - it is centered around family movie night.  The kids have the chance to earn "concession money" aka Monopoly Money to spend at the family concession stand before the movie.  It really is such a creative way to make special Movie nights . . well, special!

I found this one by chance, but it is such a cute idea, I wanted to add it.  Check out the full pack over at My Shae Noel.

Even though I'm following a little bit of a specific "curriculum" I love these bonus ideas that I can throw in as a family event or use on busy weeks - tot packs are perfect for that - to keep my kids entertained!

One last thing I wanted to share.  I am a James Patterson fan - I really enjoy his books; he is a great author.  He actually has a new book out that I want to pick up from the library soon!  While he was being interviewed for his latest book, he started talking about his son who did not like to read.  In order to encourage him to read, he told him he had to read for one hour (I think??) a day.  By the end of a month, his son loved books.  Well, he has a website out there called Read Kiddo Read.   This site has different categories based on age group.  He offers lots of ideas - I really love this as I'm always looking for new ideas for books.  Feel free to check it out and see what he suggests. 

So now, on to what I did this week!  My original goal was to plan weeks 1-4 but as I dug in, I realize that was a little overly zealous!  So, instead, I figure if I can get one week planned and anything made/cute out/printed for that week.  I'll be good.  I don't plan on starting a set plan until the last week in August so that gives me about 8 weeks to get 8 weeks ahead :-)  I really don't have anything to post specifically this week but will next week. 

I realize that with summer, most of us are planning - and planning is always good!!